Final Touches Applied to CAMH at Queen and Ossington

We featured the CAMH redevelopment a few weeks ago, just as construction and finishing touches on the public elements were being applied. Since then construction crews have cleared out of the way and most of the new streets are now open, allowing the public (in this case, Forum member yonderbean) the chance to wander through the community and snap some great photos of the area before move-in is complete.

View of CAMH redevelopment, image courtesy of yonderbean

The development has been well received for a variety of reasons relating to its purpose and designs. The new buildings have been constructed so that patient care structures border rental apartments, a decision made in an attempt to reduce the stigma that is so often associated with mental illness and to better aid the integration process of patients back into society. Retail has also been accounted for, providing a reason for non-area residents to wander through the development.

View of CAMH redevelopment, image courtesy of yonderbean

View of CAMH redevelopment, image courtesy of yonderbean

CAMH and C3 — the Community Care Consortium design team, composed of KPMB, Montgomery Sisam Architects Inc. and Kearns Mancini Architects Inc. — have shown a true understanding and insight as to what it takes to design a community, choosing to adopt a variety of architectural styles rather than a single homogonous aesthetic. Brick-clad buildings reminiscent of warehouses are juxtaposed with modern glass and steel structures, with little to no differentiating features between CAMH and non-CAMH buildings. Road verges add green space, and can found on the main thoroughfare as well as the side streets.

View of CAMH redevelopment, image courtesy of yonderbean

We'll wait to make our final judgment about the CAMH development until they've completely opened and residents take root, however it looks as though they've done a great job thus far. If you want to join the discussion, check out the latest images or post your own, head over to the project thread or the dataBase listing below.